Director of Office of Higher Education meeting with Students in St. Cloud Today

St. Paul, MN--Larry Pogemiller, Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), is in St. Cloud today, March 19, to discuss Governor Mark Dayton's budget recommendations for higher education with students.

Funding for postsecondary education is a key component of the Governor's budget proposal, including the largest increase in direct aid to students in over 25 years, funding that will make college more affordable for over 100,000 Minnesotans.

Director Pogemiller has been holding student forums across the state to share the details of the Governor's higher education proposal and listen to feedback from students.

"The majority of the students we talk to are steadfast in their commitment to completing their postsecondary education, but cite cost and debt as primary barriers," said Pogemiller. "The provisions in the Governor's budget will help lower the cost of college for thousands of Minnesota students, as well as improve quality and learning opportunities."

Dayton is proposing a balanced $240 million investment for postsecondary education, the largest percentage increase for any area of the state budget. His recommended $80 million for the Minnesota State Grant program expands eligibility for over 5,000 additional students, including over 2,000 in the middle-income range. Every state grant recipient will receive an increase in the size of their award.

His budget also helps hold the line on tuition increases, invests in internships and state-of-the art equipment and will help retain high-quality faculty.

"Over the past decade, tuition and fees have increased by more than three times the rate of inflation and family income, we have the third-highest student debt rate in the country for a bachelor's degree, and an ever-increasing number of jobs are requiring some level of postsecondary completion," said Pogemiller. "This is a trend that must be addressed."

For more information, contact Sandy Connolly at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, 651-259-3902, cell phone 651-341-6617 or by email at sandy.connolly@state.mn.us.